Xavier Musketeers Defeat Marist Red Foxes, 66-62

CINCINNATI, Ohio – Xavier men’s basketball opened its season with a 66-62 victory over Marist at Cintas Center on Monday night. The Musketeers secured the win after leading at halftime, setting a strong pace for their upcoming games.

Malik Messina-Moore led the Musketeers with 16 points, shooting 4 of 10 from the field and a perfect 7 for 7 from the free-throw line. His performance was crucial in the team’s first game of the season. Jovan Milicevic and All Wright contributed 14 points each, helping to push Xavier to a solid start against the Red Foxes.

Marist was led by Rhyjon Blackwell, who scored 24 points, showing impressive skill on the court. Elijah Lewis added 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Jadin Collins-Roberts tallied 11 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

After leading 29-19 at halftime, the Musketeers opened the second half with an 8-0 run, increasing their lead to 37-19. Wright scored 11 of his 14 points in the second half, solidifying the team’s advantage. The Musketeers’ defense managed to fend off Marist’s attempts to close the gap as the game progressed.

Xavier will continue its three-game homestand on Thursday, Nov. 6, when they face Le Moyne at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, offering fans a chance to see how the Musketeers build on their early-season success.